Media Listing June 2015

Global

IOM cites discovery of more victims in Sahara among migrants bound for Libya: According to IOM a total of 48 migrants have died in the Sahara desert while en route to Europe this year. “This tragedy highlights a feared but hitherto little-known danger too many migrants face long before they risk their lives at sea. The Sahara may be as deadly as the Mediterranean for this wave. All too tragically many of these deaths go unreported”, said IOM Director General William Lacy Swing. (IOM – 16/06/2015)

Haitian workers facing deportation by Dominican neighbors: Hundreds of thousands of migrant workers are facing deportation from the Dominican Republic, as the government announced that undocumented workers had to register their presence in the country or face deportation. Human rights groups note that there were no indication that the authorities would stall their plans to begin ejecting workers. (The New York Times – 16/06/2015)

Pope criticizes nations that close doors to migrants: Pope Francis called for respect for migrants during his weekly general audience. “I invite you all to ask forgiveness for the persons and the institutions who close the door to these people who are seeking a family, who are seeking to be protected”, he said. (Reuters – 17/06/2015)

World’s displaced hits record high of 60 million, half of them children – UN: UNHCR released its annual Global Trends Report confirming that almost 60 million people worldwide were forcibly uprooted by conflict and persecution in 2014. “It is now absolutely clear that we are not able to deliver. It is time for the international community to assume its responsibilities,” said UNHCR chief Antonio Guterres. (Reuters – 18/06/2015)

Michael Fallon: Use foreign aid to deter mass migration: The UK’s Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has advocated for the use of foreign aid spending to help prevent conflicts breaking out and contributing to the migration of populations to Europe. “Well-focussed aid should be used to help stabilise countries to prevent conflict breaking out, to discourage mass migration so that we don’t have to fish people out of the Mediterranean later on”, said Fallon. (The Telegraph – 21/06/2015)

Britain replaces migrant search and rescue ship with smaller naval vessel: The Guardian reports on Britain’s move to replace royal navy flagship HMS Bulwark, with a smaller vessel HMS Enterprise. According to a Downing Street official, HMS Enterprise will help in gathering intelligence “while continuing to rescue people as necessary”. The data will be used to “do more to better understand the smuggling network and business model” . (The Guardian – 21/06/2015)

50 Bangladeshi migrants deported from Indonesia: According to local media reports, more than 50 Bangladeshi migrants were repatriated to Bangladesh after facing deportation orders in Indonesia. The migrants we among more than 1,700 migrants who were rescued from boats after they were abandoned by smugglers in May. (Gulf Times – 25/06/2015)

Haiti prepares to receive migrants deported from Dominican Republic: This article reports on the Haitian government’s plans to receive hundreds of thousands of migrants deported from the Dominican Republic. This comes following a 2013 Dominican citizenship law which aims to cut off more than 200,000 Haitians who were born in the country to undocumented Haitians. (Voice of America – 25/06/2015)

Senate passes bill to protect offshore processing from high court challenge: This article reports on the passing of a bill through Australia’s Senate to protect the country’s offshore processing system from a high court challenge. The government rushed in last minute legislation after a directions hearing was presented at the high court finding that there was a legal basis for the challenge to proceed. (The Guardian – 25/06/2015)

Are SE Asia’s trafficking kingpins getting off the hook?: Rights groups warn that while Southeast Asia’s smuggling and trafficking rings have gone dormant, they will soon be back unless the authorities target the kingpins. “They will certainly re-emerge again, because the arrests have been limited in scope and have not gone to the top levels of these trafficking rackets,” says Phil Robertson, Human Rights Watch’s deputy director for Asia. “This region has history of targeting low to mid-level operatives rather than big fish, and even then there have been failures to convict”, said Matthew Smith, executive director of Fortify Rights.(IRIN – 30/06/2015)

Burundi

Fleeing insecurity and cholera, Burundians pour into Uganda: This report covers the movement of thousands of Burundian refugees into neighbouring Uganda. As at 2 June, 7,569 Burundians, mostly women and children, had arrived in Uganda through Rwanda and Tanzania. Uganda’s commissioner for refugees said that the arrivals had “taken us by surprise and strained our existing resources”. (IRIN – 04/06/2015)

Mediterranean migrant death rate slows after search-and-rescue boost: According to statistics provided in this article, the rate at which migrants and asylum seekers are drowning in the Mediterranean has slowed since the resumption of wide scale search and rescue operations in May, with the death toll falling below the equivalent figure from the same period in 2014. Operations ran by Médecins Sans Frontières and the Migrant Offshore Aid Station have bolstered rescue efforts. (The Guardian – 01/06/2015)

Who are the Mediterranean’s migrants?:This BBC feature looks at the stories of four individuals who made the Mediterranean crossing; their motivations and what they are hoping for from a future in Europe. The article covers journeys from Ghana to Macedonia, Syria to Germany (two individuals) and Gambia to Italy. (BBC – 05/06/2015)

Mediterranean crossings in 2015 already top 100,000: This new story by UNHCR confirms that Mediterranean crossings have already topped the 100,000 figure. Official figures show that as a t 8 June, a total of 103,000 refugees and migrants had arrived in Europe: 54,000 in Italy, 48,000 in Greece, 91 in Malta and 920 in Spain. (UNHCR – 09/06/2015)

New observatory to improve EU migration policy set up: This article reports on the setting up of the Mediterranean Observatory on Migration, Protection and Asylum (Mompa) by Middlesex University and a number of stakeholders. The observatory aims at improving the EU’s migration policy. The Dean of International Politics, Professor Brad Blitz said, “We want to create a situation where not only the reacting is faster and better informed, but also we have early warning systems in place to act before it’s too late”.(Times of Malta – 09/06/2015)

A map showing the ideal distribution of refugees in Europe: An infographic map that simulates a balanced distribution of refugees between the different European countries, using the same criteria that are applied in Germany to distribute refugees between different regional authorities. The criteria are based on population (one third) and quality of life (two thirds). (Voxeurop – 10/06/2015)

Austria stops processing asylum requests in EU quota row: Austria’s Interior Minister announced the suspension of asylum seeker application processing, in a move designed to make the countries less attractive to refugees in comparison to other EU countries. The minister, Johanna Mikl-Leitner explained this as stopping “the Austria asylum express”. New applications will continue to be registered, but they will temporarily not be processed. “This is a warning signal to the others to finally show solidarity and agree to a fair EU quota,” she said. (The Telegraph – 13/06/2015)

Hungary’s poster war on immigration: In retaliation to an official poster campaign by the Hungarian government that warned migrants of settling in Hungary, the UNHCR has prepared its own set of giant billboards highlighting refugees who have successfully integrated into Hungarian society. (BBC – 14/06/2015)

Italy’s Renzi warns EU of refugees as neighbours block border crossings: Italy stepped up calls for a change to European asylum rules on 14 June as neighbouring states tightened border controls, effectively leaving hundreds of migrants and asylum seekers stranded at the Italian border. Interior Minister Angelino Alfano has called for the setting up of processing centres in Libya to identify genuine asylum seekers and send back those not qualifying, “Europe, singing as Europe, has to sign repatriation agreements with all the African countries”. (Reuters – 14/06/2015)

Rome feels pressure of migration build up with makeshift refugee camp: This article reports on the opening up of a makeshift refugee camp on the outskirts of Tiburtina train station in Rome. Around 100 migrants were staying at the camp, set up by the Italian Red Cross and local authorities. “They’re here because they’ve closed the border; people wanted to go elsewhere in Europe but now the border’s been blocked. This isn’t just a problem today, this is a problem in general,” says Alessandro Radicchi, a Red Cross Director. (The Guardian – 14/06/2015)

Doctors Without Borders launches rescue boat to assist migrants in Mediterranean: International medical humanitarian organization Médecins Sans Frontières launched a search and rescue boat in the Mediterranean sea to help migrants and asylum seekers attempting to flee Europe. Dignity I, made its maiden mission on 13 June and can accommodate an 18-person crew and 300 rescued people. According to MSF operational manager Paula Farias, “This rescue mission might seem different from our usual projects, in that it takes place at sea, but our priority is the same as in South Sudan or Syria – to save lives.” (International Business Times – 14/06/2015)

EC to discuss Italy-France standoff over migrants with interior ministers: This article reports on planned talks between French and Italian interior ministers on the migrant situation. Following the closure of passage points in Ventimiglia, an Italian town on the border with France, Italian interior minister Angelino Alfano called these actions a “slap in the face of Europe”. (Sputnik – 15/06/2015)

EU official urges governments to deport more migrants to make rooms for refugees: According to this article, Dimitris Avramopoulos, EU Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, has urged EU governments to step up operations to return unsuccessful asylum seekers to their home countries. The Commissioner has called for the chaining of the Frontex mandate, to allow it to carry out deportation missions on its own initiative to support a single EU government. (Ekathimerini – 16/06/2015)

Sealing international borders is impossible, it only empowers smugglers – New expert report warns:Presenting his report during the 29th Session of the Human Rights Council, Francois Crépeau said that sealing international borders is impossible, and only serves to empower people smugglers in the Mediterranean. “If Europe insists on focusing most of its resources on securitisation, it will fail to defeat smuggling rings. Europe needs to destroy the smugglers’ business model, which was created when barriers and prohibitions to mobility were erected and which thrives by evading the restrictive migration policies of EU Member States”. (OHCHR – 16/06/2015)

Gambians in Italy risk deportation: This article covers local media reports which points to the possible deportation go Gambian nationals said to be in the country illegally. Natives of Torino with the highest concentration of African refugees and asylum seekers are calling for the deportation of the immigrants. “We are humans like them; though we might be without homes, but that does not make us less human. Our situation should be put into consideration so that we can be free to live and work in Italy,” said one Gambian immigrant. (All Africa – 16/06/2015)

France to create 11,000 place for refugees, asylum seekers: The French Government announced plans to create 11,000 places to house refugees and asylum seekers in Paris and Calais. The Government however committed to its stand to send back migrants driven by economic reasons, who he said would be sent back “without taboo”. (Reuters – 17/06/2015)

Hungary orders 100-mile Serbia border fence to keep out migrants: The Hungarian Foreign Minister announced plans to build a 100-mile along its border with Serbia in a bid to keep out migrants, saying Hungary “cannot afford to wait any longer”. According to official reports, the fence will be four metres high and 110 miles long. (The Telegraph – 17/06/2015)

EU to use Tekever drones to help in Mediterranean in migrant crisis: .This article reports on the EU’s plan to use Portugese drones to step up efforts to track and rescue mixed migrants in the Mediterranean. The drones will take part in mission by the EU border protection agency, Frontex. Chief Operations Officer for Tekever said, “(The idea is) to have eyes on targets sooner, to keep eyes on targets longer, before the vessel is able to reach the point of interest”. (Reuters – 17/06/2015)

EU: Rights abuses at home drive Mediterranean crisis: A Human Rights Watch report documenting the human rights abuses driving people to make the Mediterranean Sea crossing, and reviewing the shortcoming of EU migration and asylum policies. The reports is based on over 150 interviews with recently arrived migrants and asylum seekers in Italy and Greece. (Human Rights Watch – 18/06/2015)

EU announces naval operation to monitor Libyan people smugglers: EU foreign ministers formally approved the launch of the first phase of a military operation against smugglers in the Mediterranean. The first phase of the operation provides for the use of surveillance vessels that will be used to gather intelligence on migrant smuggler networks. 15 ships, aircraft and drones from at least 10 EU countries will be used to monitor activity and inform decision on whether it will be possible to mount full-scale combat operations on the smugglers in the future. The EU’s foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said, “The EU has never taken the issue of migration as seriously as we are doing now. With this operation we are targeting the business model of those who benefit from the misery of migrants.” (The Guardian - 22/06/2015)

Migrants on Hungary’s border fence: ‘This wall, we will not accept it’: This Guardian article reports on the determination of Syrian and Afghani migrants and asylum seekers to cross the Hungarian border. According to one Styrian migrant, “We are Syrians. We can solve anything. We made the first written language, so we can break the wall. If they use electricity, we will take gloves and cut it”. (The Guardian – 22/06/2015)

Switzerland threatens to close Italian border to migrants: This article reports on threats issued by the head of the cantonal government of Ticino in Switzerland to close its borders with Italy to migrants. Norman Gobbi, the Ticino government’s president said, “If the influx of refugees from Italy continues we will have to temporarily close the border. It’ the only way for Switzerland to put pressure on other countries that do not respect their obligations”. (Newsweek – 22/06/2015)

British nationals among Calais migrant smugglers: This article reports that UK nationals are involved in the smuggling of migrants from Calais, France to the UK. According to the BBC, some 100 British nationals were arrested in France in 2014 for their attempts to smuggle migrants across the English Channel in cars and vans. One French prosecutor commented, “The migrants pay a lot of money because it’s sold as guaranteed passage to the UK”. (EU Observer – 23/06/2015)

For EU-minded migrants, Hungary ‘wall’ seen as little hurdle: This article captures the sentiments of migrants following Hungary’s announcement to construct a border wall. “You can’t stop people. If they build a wall, we will look for another line,” says one migrant. “They can build a wall bigger than the Berlin Wall, but smuggling is never going to stop. The smugglers will find a way,” says another. (New York Times – 23/06/2015)

The Mediterranean migrant emergency is not Italy’s. It is Europe’s: In this opinion written by Italian PM Matteo Renzi he asserts that “Whoever has the right to asylum must be welcome in Europe, not just in Italy, despite the EU’s Dublin regime…it is inconceivable that one country should tackle the entirety of this problem on its own. Responsibility and solidarity are concepts that go hand in hand”. (The Guardian – 23/06/2015)

‘The boat is full’: Hungary suspends EU asylum rule, blaming influx of migrants: This article reports on Hungary’s decision to indefinitely suspend the application of the Dublin Regulation, a key asylum rule that requires asylum seekers’ claims to be processed in the EU country they first arrive in. Announcing the suspension, government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs told media, “We all wish for a European solution, but we need to protect Hungarian interests and out population”. (The Guardian – 24/06/2015)

Austria summons Hungary ambassador over migrant transfers: Following the announcement by the Hungarian government on the suspension of the Dublin Regulation, Austria summoned Hungary’s ambassador. Austria asked the European Commission to check if the action violated EU treaties, Reuters reports. (Reuters – 24/06/2015)

Hungary says it has not suspended a key EU asylum rule: Following the immediate fall out of Hungary’s decision to suspend the Dublin Regulation, Budapest backpedalled on its initial statement and clarified that it had only asked for a grace period to deal with the migrants crossing the border and had not suspended the asylum rule. In a statement issued by the foreign affairs ministry, “Minister Peter Szijarto has informed his Austrian counterpart that Hungary was not suspending any rule of the European Union”. (BBC – 24/06/2015)

Calais migrant scenes unacceptable, David Cameron says: Speaking after the release of pictures capturing hundreds of migrants in Calais trying to board lorries to the UK during a strike were, British PM Cameron termed the scenes “totally unacceptable”. In a bid to see better manage the situation, the PM discussed putting more border staff and sniffer dog teams in Calais. Home Secretary Theresa May stressed that the UK Border Force had put in place “tried and tested” contingency plans. (BBC – 24/06/2015)

Calais migrants: ‘we have to keep trying because this is no place to stay’: The Guardian covers sentiments by foreign nationals attempting to navigate crossing from Calais in France to the UK. Speaking to the reporter, and Eritrean national says “My friend with me last night just called and he is in the UK. He held on to the underneath of a lorry. It was very dangerous, but he has called and her is there now and safe”. (The Guardian – 24/06/2015)

EU states at odds on eve of summit on migration crisis: Ahead of the EU summit on migration, this article reports on the deadlock between EU officials on how to tackle the issue. Reuters reports that leaders are divided on a plan from the EU executive to oblige them to take share of the asylum seekers in Italy and Greece. (Reuters – 25/06/2015)

Italy rebukes EU leaders as ‘time wasters’ on migrants plan: Italian Prime Minister Matter Renzi criticised fellow EU leaders for failing to agree to a plan to take in 40,000 asylum seekers from Italy and Greece. “If you do not agree with the figure you do not deserve to call yourself Europeans. If this is your idea of Europe, you can keep it. Either there’s solidarity or don’t waste our time,” Renzi is reported as saying.(Reuters – 25/06/2015)

EU leaders agree to relocate 40,000 migrants: This article reports on the decision made by EU leaders meeting in Brussels to effect a voluntary relocation plan to relocate 40,000 migrants who have arrived in Italy and Greece over the next two years. Leaders also agreed to resettle another 20,000 would-be refugees who are currently outside the EU – most of these are expected to be of Syrian and Eritrean nationalities. (BBC – 26/06/2015)

UN urges EU states to make ‘concrete commitments’ on refugees: This article covers comments by the UN refugee agency following the European Union’s decisions on the migrant crisis. UNHCR has urged member states to follow the decisions by “concrete commitments” to ease the pressure on Italy and Greece. “This is clearly an important step along the way to finding answers to this crisis but clearly much more will have to be done, including addressing the root causes,” said Adrian Edwards of UNHCR. (Reuters – 26/06/2015)

EU sidestep on migrants will do nothing to curb Mediterranean death toll: This opinion piece criticises the EU migration relocation plan. Terming the agreement “tokenism”, it observes that the redistribution scheme is voluntary and it is unclear how it will function in practice, as states such as the UK have already declared they will not take part. It goes on to criticise the 40,000 relocation figure as a fraction of the 250,000 migrants that are likely to land in Greece and Italy, and the asylum for 20,000 Syrians and Eritreans. Quoting Francois Crépeau, “These are baby steps. One has to understand that 20,000 refugees taken by 28 countries is only one-tenth of the number of asylum seekers who arrived in Italy last year. This is a very, very small step forward”. (The Guardian - 26/06/2015)

Europe migrant crisis: How are countries coping?: This BBC article observes how six different countries in the EU are coping with migration – Italy, France Greece, UK, Germany and Hungary. It examines various factors including numbers of migrants and asylum seekers in each of the countries, public sentiment on the current migration trends, government position on migration, and involvement in search and rescue operations. (BBC – 26/06/2015). (BBC – 26/06/2015)

EU refugee response exposes divisions, meagre ambitions: This article covers the opinions from various actors on the EU’s plans to relocate 40,000 refugees from Italy and Greece. According to the European Commission President Jena-Claude Junker, “It is – to tell you the truth – a very modest effort”. “It’s not a big number. For Italy it’s a small help, but there’s still a lot of work to do”, says Italian PM Matteo Renzi.(The New York Times – 26/06/2015)

More than 900,000 Ukrainians seek asylum abroad: The number of Ukrainian nationals seeking asylum abroad has now reached 900,000 people. According to UNHCR, the majority (94%) of people have sought refuge in neighbouring Russia. In a report titled “World at War”, UNHCR confirms that the Russian Federation was the largest single recipient of new individual asylum claims worldwide in 2014. (Daily Sabah – 28/06/2015)

Italy begins to recover hundreds of migrant bodies from shipwreck: The Italian navy has begun to recover the bodies of up to 800 migrants who drowned after a fishing boat they were on sank in the Mediterranean in April 2015. Three navy ships and submersibles have been used to recover bodies. The article reports that Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said he wants to lift the vessel so “the whole world (can) see what happened”. (Reuters – 29/06/2015)

Volunteers take to the waves to aid stranded migrants: This article reports on the start-up of a new private initiative, Sea Watch, which joins search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean. Sea Watch’s first mission was launched in June, setting off the Italian island of Lampedusa. According to Ingo Werth, who is in charge of managing the ship’s supplies, “We made a decision not to talk any longer, not to see any more people die. The EU could do much more, and we have to help people escaping war zones. Ordinary people can do a lot at home, but the first step is to help people survive in the sea”. (Newsweek – 29/06/2015)

European navies help save 21 boats in one day: This article reports on joint operations by Italian, British, Irish and Spanish navy vessels and a boat operated by MOAS in the rescue of 21 boats ferrying 2,900 migrants and asylum seekers in the space of 24 hours from waters off Libya. The article predicts a worsening situation in the summer months, when the number of boats usually peaks. (The Guardian – 30/06/2015)

Hungary gets European Commission support to tackle migrant tide: The European Commission has offered to assist Hungary to set up temporary centres to process asylum requests. The EC’s senior official Dimitris Avramopoulos expressing support for the government’s plan to build a fence along the Serbian border is reported as saying, “Europe will always support frontline member states and Hungary is a frontline member state. Hungary is under pressure. We were talking so far about Italy and Greece. Now we added Hungary”. (Reuters – 30/06/2015)

Ethiopia

Ethiopia attempts to extradite 80 human traffickers: According to this article, Ethiopia’s Federal Police Commission announce its collaboration with Interpol to complete the extradition of 80 human traffickers. So far, the government claims it has managed to extradite 5 suspects from Kenya, Sudan, Saudi Arabia and Tanzania. (Star Africa – 24/06/2015)

Ethiopia mulls tough trafficking law, including death penalty: This article reports on the presentation to Parliament of a proposed bill by the Ethiopian Ministry of Justice to offer stiff penalties to human traffickers, including life in jail or the death penalty. The legislation must be approved by the House of Representatives, which could take several months. (Reuters – 30/062015)

Eritrea

EU states in ‘deals to shut Eritrean borders’: This article reports on the increasing concerns among UN officials and human rights organisations about what they believe are secret deals being drawn up between Eritrea and EU nations. It is suspected that the deals may involve the Eritrean government being given money or having sanctions lifted in return for tougher border controls. (The Guardian – 13/06/2015)

Diaspora Eritreans rally against human rights abuses: This article covers demonstrations by thousands of diaspora Eritreans held in front of the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva. Speaking in support of the UN Commission of Inquiry findings, on protester said, “It is the first time Eritreans feel that the world is finally listening to us. The findings of the report are no to us, we already know this. But it feels like the world is starting to understand our suffering”. (Aljazeera – 26/06/2015)

Home Office guidance on Eritrea based on flawed reports, says watchdog: The UK’s Independent Advisory Group on Country Information (IAGCI) slammed the Home Office for basing claims that Eritrea is safe on controversial research by the Danish Immigration Service. The findings of the Danish inquiry “should not be taken as undisputable facts relating to the current situation in Eritrea,” said the IAGCI citing “methodological concerns”. (The Guardian – 30/06/2015)

Israel

Eritreans in Israel protest for refugee protection: Hundreds of Eritreans took to the streets of Tel Aiv outside the European Union delegation to rally for recognition as refugees. “Eritrean don’t flee their home and their country because they want a better job, or a car, or a plasma TV. We flee our homes because we are born to be free and live in dignity and safety,” read a statement. (International Business Times – 25/06/2015)

Libya

Libya/Mediterranean Sea: A briefing note on the rising numbers of and situation affecting migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea from Libya to Europe. There are an estimated 150,000 migrant workers and 37,000 refuges looking for passage to Europe in Libya. The report highlights issues surrounding humanitarian conditions, constraints, aggravating factors, and response capacities. (ACAPS – 04/06/2015)

Libyan forces warn EU over migrant operations: The Libyan government warned Europe that any vessels entering Libran waters without permission would be targeted by air strikes. This followed an EU agreement to launch a naval operation to combat migrant smugglers arriving in Europe across the Mediterranean sea. “Any vessel found in Libyan waters without previous cooperation or permission will be targeted by the air force,” said Libyan air force commander Saqr Al-Jaroushi. (Reuters – 23/06/2015)

Danish ship rescues more than 200 migrants off Libyan coast: A private Danish shop rescued 222 migrants from tow distressed boats off Zawiya, a coastal region west of Tripoli. According to Danish Maersk Line, it had conducted 6 rescues so far in 2015 involving over 2,200 people. (Reuters – 23/06/2015)

Libyan patrol boat allegedly opens fire on migrants, killing one: According to local media reports, a Libyan patrol boat allegedly opened fire on a raft carrying about 130 migrants off the Libyan coast, killing one and injuring another. “The Libyan coast guard does not ever shoot at boats of migrants and also the Libyan navy did not fire,” said a government spokesperson. (Breitbart – 23/06/2015)

Libya set to discuss EU plan on migrants: According to this report, Libya’s internationally recognised government will send a delegation to discuss with EU officials on the proposals for controlling migrant smuggling. “A ministerial committee will visit the EU to inform them of the solutions proposed by the government. The government has its own alternatives. Libyan sovereignty and territorial waters and airspace are a red line,” said a government spokesman. (Times of Malta – 26/06/2015)

Puntland starts major relocation of Yemeni refugees: According to this local media report, the Puntland state of Somalia begun the relocation of hundreds of Yemeni refugees in a camp-to-apartment programme. Around 200 refugees were transferred from the reception centre in Bossaso to Gardo, a city 250km away.(Horseed Media – 09/06/2015)

Sudanese police rescue 48 hostages kidnapped by human traffickers: Local media reports that at least 48 hostages have been recused by Sudanese police after more than two weeks of detention by human traffickers in eastern Sudan. In a press release, police said that those rescued were of Eritrean and Ethiopian nationalities. (Star Africa – 30/06/2015)

South Africa

Living in South Africa to get tougher for Malawi illegal immigrants: This article covers remarks made by South African High Commissioner to Malawi, Cassandra Mbyane, on the tightening of migration controls for foreign nationals. “We have many people coming from Malawi and elsewhere as foreigners based in South Africa…we have opened up our borders and if you come in rightly you are always accepted”. (Nyasa Times – 23/06/2015)

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